It is important to remember as you go, to hold the stapler directly onto the wood, so your staples go all the way into the wood. This step secures the screen portion to the frame to create the lid. Slip the hardware cloth into the inside of the wood pieces and go along the edge with your stapler and heavy-duty staples. Staple In The Hardware ClothĪfter the wood glue on your wooden frame is thoroughly dry and secure, you are ready to staple in the hardware cloth. It is a good idea to let this dry thoroughly overnight before moving on to the next step. Once the wood glue dries, it will be a solid bond. This adds more stability and helps the pieces of wood stay together securely to give the wood glue time to dry in place. Take your hammer and nails and secure those newly glued pieces of wood with two nails per joint. Using the cut pieces of wood, apply wood glue, and fix the parts together, gluing one edge to another piece’s inner edge. The next step in the process is to create a wooden frame to hold the screen in place. This will also give you an idea of how the screen will ultimately fit. You will want to cut the hardware cloth approximately one inch larger on each side than the opening.īe careful when you are cutting the hardware cloth as the wire is sharp.Īfter cutting, fold the one inch excess over each edge. Cut The Hardware ClothĪfter you have gathered the necessary tools and supplies, use your wire cutters to trim off any excess hardware wire carefully. Use your tape measure to get the measurements and write them down as you go to make sure you don’t forget them when you go to the store.īe sure to measure around the outside of the top of the tank as the frame will need to fit over the whole container. This step falls in before you gather your supplies, as you will need to know how much wood and mesh you will need. The first thing you need to know is the exact measurements of the tank, so your finished screen lid will fit correctly. It is best to read the instructions thoroughly before putting this together. In this section, we will go over the process of creating your lid. Step By Step Instructions For How To Make A Screen Lid For A Reptile Tank If you don’t have one, pick one up at the hardware store while you are there. HammerĪ hammer is a pretty handy tool, and you probably have this around your home for general repairs or hanging things. This is necessary to make the lid just the right size. Measuring TapeĪ measuring tape will make this project so much easier. These are readily available at most hardware stores. These staplers are used to go into wood and other materials and have a much more reliable hold. Heavy Duty Stapler & StaplesĪ heavy-duty stapler will be needed for this project, and the one you use for filing your papers won’t cut it. The wood glue will be doing most of the work when it comes to bonding the pieces together, with the nails put in for added support. This type of glue bonds wood the best and creates a tight seal. Wood glue will make sure your lid stays secure and stable for as long as you need it. Packages of nails are available at your local hardware store. They will help provide support to keep the pieces together for this project. We recommend approximately eight 1.5″ inch nails for this project. These are available in a variety of sizes, but pick one you can easily handle. Unfortunately, regular scissors just can’t cut through the material, but the wire cutters will make short work of it. Since we are using metal hardware cloth, you will need some wire cutters to cut through the material. There could be a small fee for them to do this. If you don’t have a saw at home, the lumber store usually can help you out and cut it for you. Take these measurements before you go to the store. The length of the wood pieces will ultimately depend on the size of your aquarium. We recommend using standard 1×2’s available at lumber stores for a low price. To make the frame for the hardware cloth, you will need to have wood. This will allow airflow and stay strong, especially if your reptile manages to reach the top and grab at it. If you are having trouble finding metal hardware cloth or want a finer mesh, an aluminum screen would also work for this project. There are several types of hardware cloth available, so for smaller reptiles, we recommend 1/4 inch, but you will have the ability to choose a suitable size for your project. Metal hardware cloth is going to be the central part of this project, and you will want something secure and strong to prevent your reptile from escaping or easily knocking the lid away. While some might have the items on the supply list, a quick trip to the hardware store will allow you to get everything you need. This section outlines what you will need to make a robust, secure, and long-lasting screen lid for your reptile. Step By Step Instructions For How To Make A Screen Lid For A Reptile Tank.
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